Keyboard having a back-to-back position

The present invention relates to the field of keyboard devices, more particularly, to an optionally repositionable keyboard having a back-to-back position.

Mobile devices have become an increasing trend in consumer electronics. Portable media players, mobile phones, mobile computers, and the like have become common among consumers. The way users interact with these mobile devices can vary significantly, but their input requirements can be the same. For example, mobile phones can require the input of both text and numbers, but commonly mobile phones only implement a keypad. Inputting text on a keypad can become troublesome and time consuming. Some devices can implement a touch screen, which can be used in conjunction with an on-screen keyboard. Other devices even implement a miniature keyboard.

There is one common problem with these input solutions: the inability to type quickly. When users are mobile, there are situations that can require quick access to information on a portable device. Input restrictions can prevent quick access to data on a mobile device. A more intuitive solution is needed for improved mobile input efficiency. A device is needed in which can provide a well-known keyboard standard, while still being mobile.

One aspect of the present invention can include a keyboard having two planes of keys and a communication port. The keyboard can be configured to include a back-to-back position. In the back-to-back position, the planes can be jointed so that each plane has outwardly facing keys which are fixed relative to the other plane at approximately a one-hundred and eighty degree angle (e.g., between one hundred and seventy degrees and one hundred and eighty degrees) relative to the other plane. The communication port can establish a communication linkage between the keyboard and a computing device. When in the back-to-back position, key presses from the keyboard are able to be conveyed across the communication linkage to be interpreted as input by the communicatively linked computing device.

Another aspect of the present invention can include a method for utilizing a keyboard. In the method, a keyboard having a back-to-back position can be identified. In the back-to-back position two planes of keys can be jointed so that each plane has outwardly facing keys which are fixed relative to the other plane at approximately a one-hundred and eighty degree angle relative to the other plane. The keyboard can be positioned between two hands so that the inward portion of the hands face one another with the keyboard having the back-to-back position being in between the two hands. Keys on opposing sides of the keyboard can be pressed using fingers on the hand nearest the outwardly facing keys. The key presses can be accepted as input by a computing device communicatively linked to the keyboard.

Still another aspect of the present invention can include a method for configuring a repositionable keyboard. In the method, a keyboard having a set of usable positions can be identified. The usable positions can include first position and a second position. The keyboard can be utilized in the first and second positions, wherein key presses are interpreted as input by a communicatively linked computing device when the keyboard is in either the first or second positions. The keyboard can be manipulated to reconfigure it between the first and second positions. The first position can be a back-to-back position and the second position can be an approximately flat position.

The present invention can include a mobile repositionable keyboard. This keyboard can be split into individual parts. One such embodiment can include the keyboard being split directly in the center, to allow the repositioning (or folding) of the keyboard in half. Although this can be the preferred embodiment and is shown in the diagrams, the present invention can be split up into any number of individual parts.

One significant position for the keyboard is to position the keyboard sections back-to-back with keys facing outwards on each side. A user can position his hands to cup this keyboard (in a modified praying position) and can use this keyboard configuration in a space constrained situation. In one embodiment, the back-to-back keyboard need not be position-able, but can instead be a fixed keyboard implementation. The back-to-back keyboard can be used without a supporting surface, as a user\'s hands applied in opposing directions provide sufficient support. Advantageously, keys can be arranged in a “standard” QWERTY fashion, so that skilled typist can leverage their existing skills when using the back-to-back keyboard. In various embodiments, support and slide structures can be included with the back-to-back keyboard to facilitate its use. The repositionable (and fixed back-to-back) keyboard can optionally include a pointing device.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 of a keyboard device 102 in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. User 104 can interact with keyboard device 102 to interface with computing device 140. In one embodiment, the keyboard device 102 can have a QWERTY layout (e.g., US-International layout, UK-Extended Layout, etc.) of keys of sufficient size and spacing to permit touch typing. Other embodiments for other layouts (Dvorak, Colemak, etc.) can also be accommodated by system 100.

One novel configuration of keyboard device 102 is a split keyboard configuration in which two halves of a keyboard are positioned back-to-back with outwardly facing keys. This is a usable configuration of device 102, where a user 104 can utilize it while it is cupped between his/her hands, each hand having access to half of the available keys. A hand-to-keyboard coupler 108 and/or a hand-to-keyboard stabilizer 110 can exist to permit a user\'s hands relative to the keyboard device 102 to remain in a type-able position.